The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Unlikely scorers as Swansea draw with Hull Posted: 09 Dec 2013 03:01 PM PST Hull striker Danny Graham's first goal in almost a year put the visitors ahead after nine minutes, the former Swansea player side-footing home from close range following a right-wing cross by Egyptian international Ahmed Elmohamady. It was Graham's first Premier League goal in 28 matches - the last one scored for Swansea in January. The Welsh side, who welcomed back Spanish striker Michu after a five-week absence with an ankle injury, were frustrated by Hull in the first half but played with more pace after the break and levelled after 59 minutes. A short corner by Jonjo Shelvey came back to the former Liverpool midfielder and his driven cross hit Chico Flores and flew past Scotland keeper Allan McGregor for the Spanish defender's first Premier League goal. Hull had a goal disallowed when David Meyler was adjudged offside, then Yannick Sagbo's shot from distance was saved at full stretch by Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel. The visitors might also have had a penalty when a back post-header from Alex Bruce struck Dwight Tiendalli on the arms. McGregor saved well with his feet from Michu in the dying minutes but a draw was a fair result. The point moved both teams up one place in the table, Swansea to 10th and Hull 12th. - Reuters, December 10, 2013. |
| Bayern’s Guardiola wants possession and perfection Posted: 09 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST Bayern are on a record run of 10 consecutive Champions League victories, but Guardiola wants to finish with 18 points - something they failed to achieve last season under Jupp Heynckes, despite winning the title. Even with City and Bayern already into the knock-out phase, only a victory at Munich's Allianz Arena and guaranteed top spot in Group D will suffice for the Spaniard. "We're not yet confirmed as first in the group, but we have the chance to finish with six wins," said Guardiola. "We have a big chance to be first, which would be good for us in the knock-out phase, so that is what we have to aim for." Guardiola said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm is set to return after a two-week absence following a hamstring injury, while Germany midfielder Mario Goetze should play despite suffering from a thigh knock. Having broken Barcelona's record for consecutive Champions League wins, Guardiola said he is only interested in seeing Bayern finish the group stage campaign with a perfect points haul. "The records aren't important to me. They are important only for the history of the team, the club and the record books," he said. "18 points for winning all the games means prestige and there is prize money at stake. That is what we must focus on." Bayern swept aside City 3-1 at the Ethiad Stadium in October, the only time Manuel Pellegrini's side has lost at home this season. The guests must win 3-0 at the Allianz Arena to wrestle top spot from the defending champions. Munich have won all 18 matches at home since their last defeat, to Arsenal in March, and as a Barcelona player and manager, Guardiola has yet to lose at home to an English side in nine encounters. Moreover, Pellegrini is still seeking his first win over Guardiola, who as Barcelona coach never lost against the Chilean's Villareal, Real Madrid and Malaga teams. Nevertheless, Guardiola will send his side out with victory as the only acceptable outcome. "Tomorrow (Tuesday) is a dangerous game against dangerous opponents," insisted Guardiola. "They have top players, the likes of (David) Silva, (Alvaro) Negredo and (Sergio) Aguero who can score two or three goals in as many minutes. "Last season, Bayern beat Arsenal 3-1 away, but they won 2-0 in Munich and we could have lost first place. "I expect a tight game. There won't be much space and we'll have to create chances." Having won 14 titles in four years at Barcelona, Guardiola gave a glimpse of the perfectionism he demands of his players. Despite Saturday's 7-0 rout at Werder Bremen, which extended Bayern's record unbeaten run to 40 Bundesliga games, Guardiola still found faults. "We lose the ball too often over 90 minutes. I can't stand losing possession," he said. "A 7-0 win at Bremen is good for the confidence, but they had their chances in the first half. We have to keep improving." - AFP, December 9, 2013. |
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